There's No Place Like Home

Blue Skirt asks, "What's the matter with Kansas?" (Red Skirt here) Well, my mom was from Nebraska, so I claim a kinship of sorts. And I'm from a small town in Wisconsin, though I live in a suburb of Chicago now. For my first job out of college I worked for a grain company, and in the first few weeks I did a bit of traveling around and training. I went to the Kansas City Board of Trade, and drove one summer night southwest to Emporia. I saw the sign on the way in to town: Home of William Allen White. His influence endures. He asked that question too.

But in fairness to Kansas, anyone anywhere has some gripes with where they live. I may not like the corruption in Illinois that emanates from Chicago, but Chicago is still a great city. And Illinois is still the Land of Lincoln---we lay claim to that history even if we don't always live up to it.

So, a little rebuttal.

CPAC:
Rigid? Any group that invites NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani can't be caricatured as rigid.
I disapprove of Ann Coulter. She substitutes foul-mouthed words for argument too often. Reminds me of the leftist Daily Kos. I don't imagine she'll be invited back.

Gore:
Bigfoot. Nuff said.

Women's suffrage:
I've had doubts about that myself:) Women used to not be able to vote, then they voted like their husbands. Now they vote based on their own beliefs. Either you're for the children or against them.

Minimum wage:
My guess is Illinois, which just raised its minimum wage, may lose jobs to Kansas.

Intelligent design:
I'll settle for silent prayer in school. And maybe some decent science instead of junk.

No hilarity?
Humor is difficult across cultures.

English only:
A good idea, leads to success and is supported by most Latino parents.

High school kids of undocumented receive resident tuition:
Agree with that. But need a long term solution.

Ecoterrorism from illegal immigrants:
Not a worry by me. More likely pulled off by leftie spoiled suburban brats on the left coast.

Immigration:
We do need to control our borders and know who is in our country.

Overall we need immigrants as our economy is growing and we are at near full employment. We need more highly skilled legal immigrants, because our schools aren't producing enough math and science cognizant kids.

I generally agree with the president's plan on immigration. We need to regularize guest workers. Those who have come illegally need to go to the back of the line, behind those who have applied to come here legally. I am concerned about illegal immigration because people are victimized, women are raped, children and babies are sold and abused, and criminals easily hide.
US border towns' schools and hospitals are overwhelmed, and some hospitals have closed, depriving everyone of health care. And the border environment is being despoiled.

It is well known though, that our southern border has been open, so thousands of people from other countries have come through illegally. Many wish us well, we continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity, but some wish us deadly harm. And I am worried about identity theft, an exploding problem---the highest incidence is in Arizona for obvious reasons.

Mexico also needs to help its people and grow its own economy so families aren't so desperate. Looks like their new president is pursuing that.

I don't think close-mindedness and provincialism are determined by a zip code. Some of the most provincial people in the country live in Manhattan. I helped a friend from Nebraska and her new roommate from NYC move into their dorm room my freshman year. The roommate's mom didn't know where Omaha was, or Nebraska, and even had trouble with Chicago and Denver. The roommate is now a heavy hitter at the NY Times. (Did I say that?:)

And some of the most open-minded and open-hearted people in the US of A live on the open plains. (Did I say that?:)

So I think the lesson is that whatever state you live in, it's important to debate the issues and think well of your neighbor even if you don't always agree with them. There's no place like home.


And know your geography.